| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC February 2, 2007 Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns to Visit Brazil and Argentina, February 6-9, 2007Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns will visit Brazil and Argentina February 6-9, 2007. He will be accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Special Advisor to the Secretary and International Energy Coordinator Greg Manuel, and William McIlhenny, Member of the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff. They will consult with public and private sector leaders in these two important nations in Latin America, and explore opportunities to enhance existing cooperation to achieve our common goal of a secure, prosperous, and democratic hemisphere. The visit underscores the importance of Latin America to the United States and recognizes the key leadership role Brazil and Argentina play in the region. In Brazil, Under Secretary Burns and his delegation will meet with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, as well as other political and business leaders, and Under Secretary Burns will give a speech at Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) in Sao Paulo. The Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary will then travel to Buenos Aires where they will meet with Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, Chief of Cabinet Alberto Fernandez, Planning Minister Julio De Vido, and other senior Argentine officials, and Under Secretary Burns will give a speech at the Consejo Argentino de Relaciones Internationales. Brazil and Argentina are valued partners with whom we share many common interests and democratic values. We cooperate on a continuing basis on a broad range of political and economic issues, including regional and global security, environmental protection, energy, and trade. We look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our goal of consolidating democracy, promoting prosperity, investing in people and enhancing security in the hemisphere. 2007/074 |
